We are reaching out to keep you in the loop about the current budget situation facing Newton Public Schools (“NPS”). There is currently a major discrepancy between the budget proposal Superintendent Nolin recommends and the amount Mayor Fuller has allocated for NPS in the next fiscal year. Mayor Fuller’s allocation would require major cuts to staff and programming throughout the district. The good news is that the city *does* have additional funding that could be allocated towards NPS but it’s going to require our voices and engagement to make it happen.
Please see the image below which highlights the differences between five different budget models put forward by Superintendent Nolin. The Superintendent’s proposed “Level Service Plus” Model is in yellow and the budget reflecting the Mayor’s current allocation, or the “Cuts” budget, is in red.
This is a critical time to engage. NPS has made some progress this year and is working towards more improvement under Dr. Nolin’s leadership and new vision. The cuts required by the Mayor’s budget allocation would take NPS backward.
Since the final funding allocation decision rests with the Mayor, we think it’s best if as many of us speak up as possible to urge her to fully fund the “Level Services Plus” budget.
If you would like more detailed information on the current budget situation and the availability of funding sources for Mayor Fuller such as the Education Stabilization Fund and free cash, PLEASE SEE THIS SLIDEDECK.
In addition, Superintendent Anna Nolin will be at Underwood on April 8th at 8:30 a.m. for a PTO Meeting at 8:30AM in the gymnasium along with two School Committee Members. This opportunity comes at a critical time for Underwood to make our voice heard prior to the Mayor’s presentation of the city budget in mid-April.
We hope to see many of you there.
What can you do right now?
- Attend the Meeting tomorrow evening at Brown Middle School
- Attend the Meeting with Dr. Nolin and Members of the School Committee at Underwood on April 8th @8:30 a.m.
- Email or call our School Committee Members and ask them to pass the Superintendent’s Proposed “Level Service Plus” Budget.
- Email or call Mayor Fuller and ask her to allocate an additional $3.7 million to NPS for the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget.
- Attend, watch, or read summaries of school committee meetings to keep up to date on these fluid negotiations.
- Talk to your neighbors and make sure they know what is happening, too.
Please reach out at any time if you have questions, want to discuss this more, or have ideas about how to engage and mobilize people at Underwood and in our broader neighborhoods and communities.